Wallace Jerome Anderson, 86
Wallace Jerome Anderson, 86, passed away Dec. 30, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell. He is forever "GONE FISHING." He was born May 12, 1922, in Barnes County, N.D., to Martha Anna Johnson.
He attended school through the eighth grade, then went to work on neighboring farms.
He joined the Navy in 1942, serving in the CB's WCTC, 7th Spec. and the 36th Spec., being honorably discharged in 1946.
On Oct. 6, 1946, he married Marie Evelyn Reinke in Nome, N.D. They had a farm, and he was very proud of his dairy cows. In 1962, he sold the farm to move to Montana. He worked an assortment of jobs — milking cows, working with Christmas trees, and as a backyard mechanic.
He went to work full-time for the county, then moved on to Bell Manufacturing. After the closing of Bell, he went to work for Treweek Construction moving houses and stayed there until his retirement. There are very few places you can go in Lincoln, Flathead, and Lake counties within which he hasn't moved a building.
He had a hard time retiring, but slowly replaced work with fishing and riding his four-wheeler. He had always loved the outdoors, taking his kids and grandkids picnicking, fishing and camping every chance he could. Fishing became his way of life throughout the years, so much so that he almost lost his life in 2005 from falling through the ice at Bitterroot Lake — his "POLAR BEAR PLUNGE." He has left his family and friends with a lot of good memories.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marie Evelyn (Reinke) Anderson; his mother, Martha Anna Anderson; and stepfather, Isaac Anderson; and several stepbrothers and stepsisters.
He is survived by twin daughters, Jane Mildern of Bigfork, and Janice Olson of Seattle; daughter, Patsy Anderson of Proctor; son, Wayne Anderson and wife, Anita, of Kila; grandkids, Shannah and Tony, Clinton, April, Amanda, Autum, Austin and Aspen; great-grandkids, Dylann and Braidy, Allan and Rachell; sister-in-law, Hazel Sabby, of Nome; and many special friends. He also leaves behind his cat, "Sweettie Pie."
Memorial services for Wallace will be at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the charity of your choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Wallace. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence and sign Wallace's guest book.